Category: Uncategorised

2 Kings 5:1-27; Jeremiah 38:1-28; Hebrews 9:15-28

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand. Job 23:8-9

Job was a man in real distress. He had lost his health, children, possessions, reputation and status. Yet throughout this terrible ordeal, what Job longed for most was God’s presence. He yearned for the one thing that would sustain him in this life and the next— a relationship with God. What do we long for most through our trials and tribulations on this earth? Let it be God, and Him alone, for He will prove to be sufficient for our need. —Deborah Manera

God never said the journey would be easy, but He did say the arrival would be worthwhile. —Max Lucado

2 Kings 4:1-44; Jeremiah 37:1-21; Hebrews 9:1-14

We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19:14
He shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

The world despised and rejected our Saviour and nailed Him to a cross. Today He is ignored, disregarded and said to be irrelevant. But, the glorious truth is that He will reign forever and forever. Before then He will come and “snatch” us away in preparation for that great day, so look up and be encouraged weary saint, for He could be here at any moment. —David Croudace

King of Kings shall men behold Him, Lord of Lords forevermore;
Christ shall reign the King of glory, bow before Him and adore. —Author Unknown

2 Kings 3:1-27; Jeremiah 36:1-32; Hebrews 8:1-13

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things…and I am profaned among them. Ezekiel 22:26

Ezekiel records God’s anger with Israel’s shepherds. They were more concerned with their own interests and comfort instead of proclaiming the Word of God. Is that not frequently seen in religious circles today while the ‘sheep’ are wandering without example or direction? The pressing need of the day is godly leadership. Moses prayed, “That the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd” (Num. 27:17). —Wm. H. Gustafson

Shepherd the flock with tender, loving care.
Shepherd by life and one another bear.
Christ shepherds us by searching for His sheep,
And brings us to Himself, our pasture sweet. —L. S.

2 Kings 2:1-25; Jeremiah 35:1-19; Hebrews 7:1-28

Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Isaiah 25:4

Sometimes new believers think that being a Christian will exempt them from life’s problems. That will not be a reality until we reach Heaven. However, whatever my problem, He is able to preserve me in the midst of the difficulties. He is the strength to the weak, He is the refuge to those in the storms of life and He is the shadow in the scorching blaze of life’s trials. —Sid Halsband

Let the weak and the feeble, find under Thine arm,
In the blast of the terrible, shelter from harm. —Mary Carter

2 Kings 1:1-18; Jeremiah 34:1-22; Hebrews 5:11-6:20

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7, NKJV

Sometimes when I read about the Israelities, I think how foolish they were. But isn’t that also me? When things are going well, I congratulate myself on the job I’m doing. When things are rough, I gripe and complain and wonder where God is. Growth or progress in the Christian life is not achieved by ease and comfort. It comes from trials, heartache, pain and sorrow. God is always faithful; I am the one that falters. Find joy in casting all your care on Him today. —Debbie Douglas

Be not dismayed what e’er betide,
God will take care of you.
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you. —C. D. Martin

1 Kings 22:1-53; Jeremiah 33:1-26; Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 1 Peter 4:9

One week after coming home from our honeymoon a conference speaker challenged couples about the importance of hospitality. That evening we decided to put this into practice. What amazing times of fellowship with the Lord’s people and Lord’s servants we enjoyed in our home. This had a profound effect upon us and our children. Likewise through many years of service in the UK, Canada and the US, we thank our God for those who opened their homes or have taken us out for meals giving rich fellowship away from home. Young people, will you take up the challenge? You will never regret it! —Jim Paul

Happy the home where Jesus’ name, is sweet to every ear,
Where children early lisp His fame and parents hold Him dear. —Ware

1 Kings 21:1-29; Jeremiah 32:26-44; Hebrews 4:1-13

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

What a promise in our times of fear! We are assured of three things. His presence. “I am with you.” Our relationship with Him. “I am your God.” And finally His power. “I will strengthen you,” “I will help you,” and “I will uphold you with my right hand.” His right hand suggests His omnipotence and our security. Thank God He is our God and we are in His eternal grasp. Rest in His care. —Jim Comte

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest—
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest. —Frances Ridley Havergal

1 Kings 20:1-43; Jeremiah 32:1-25; Hebrews 3:1-19

Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9

What does it mean to walk with God? Enoch walked with God (Gen. 5:22), and the writer to the Hebrews says that “Enoch…had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Heb. 11:5). Noah was a just (righteous) man and perfect (blameless) in his generations (Gen. 6:9). Walking with God involves pleasing Him and reflecting His holy character in our life. So let us walk with God, not ahead of Him, or like Peter, following the Lord afar off (Matt. 26:58). Are you walking with Him? —K. C. Ung

Walking with Jesus, oh, fellowship sweet!
Walking with Him hour by hour;
Talking with Him, as I work for His cause,
Trusting in His mighty power. —Lizzie G. Hall

1 Kings 19:1-21; Jeremiah 31:1-40; Hebrews 2:1-18

Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean. Numbers 8:7, NKJV

To be clean Levites washed their bodies and their clothes. But to be purified, Moses sprinkled them with holy water. This sprinkling imparted the value of what was sprinkled to it (Heb. 9:19- 22). Thus, the Levites were both clean and holy to the Lord. Today, believers experience spiritual cleansing at conversion and are set apart as a holy priesthood to Christ (Titus 3:5). Given the moral cleansing and spiritual purification we have undergone, may we faithfully serve the Lord as clean and holy priests. —W. A. H.

Glory be to Him who loved us, washed us from each sinful stain;
Glory be to Him who made us, priests and kings with Him to reign. —Horatius Bonar

1 Kings 18:1-46; Jeremiah 30:1-24; Hebrews 1:1-14

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

A once popular preacher dreamed he saw in Heaven rows of beautiful crowns. “Is that big one for me?” he asked as he readily recalled God’s blessing on his preaching. “No,” came the attendant’s reply. “It’s for that poor deaf man who sat in the front row and pled with God for souls as you preached to them.” God still answers the fervent prayers of burdened saints. When next we listen to the preacher, let’s participate in prayer and thus be a co-worker in the Gospel. —Arnot P. McIntee

Oh, give me, Lord, Thy love for souls, for lost and wandering sheep,
That I might see the multitudes, and weep as Thou didst weep. —Eugene M. Harrison